ACTS History & Mission

History:

A Chance to Succeed (ACTS) Nursing Mentor Program began in the fall of 2004 as an outgrowth of the University of Michigan-Flint’s Nursing Recruitment and Retention Committee. The goal to recruit and retain nursing students was identified with an emphasis on minority and disadvantaged students.

Members of the nursing faculty and minority registered nurse graduates of UM-Flint’s nursing program along with community-based nurses formed the initial group to explore the feasibility of a mentoring program. This group developed the mentoring program which grew to include members from UM-Flint’s Admission Office and the Office of Equity and Diversity Services.

In July 2005, the UM-Flint’s Department of Nursing was the recipient of a HRSA Nursing Initiative in Diversity grant. The grant provided funding and resources to support the mentoring program. The grant was renewed in 2008 and this continued support will allow expansion and ongoing growth of the mentoring program.

Mission & Objectives:

The mission of the ACTS Nursing Mentoring Program is to recruit and retain nursing students at the University of Michigan-Flint. Objectives include: assisting students with system barriers; providing counseling/advising specific to the nursing program; addressing minority student’s issues related to lack of trust/racism, fear and negative perceptions of the nursing program; and clarifying information.